Paris riots?
 

It sounds like the riots in the suburbs outside of Paris were getting pretty out of hand (like there's an orderly riot? ;) ) this week. Does anyone know/experienced firsthand if there has been any disruption in the city centre itself or if public transport has been affected?

Saw an item on one of the blogs this week that French police are gearing up for major demonstrations in Paris on Halloween - All Saints Day. Nothing more specific right now than that on locations or other aspects.

No disruption at all in the city centre. Some bus routes in the far out suburbs where buses have been set on fire have been altered. Nothing more.

Out of hand? A couple of buses burned, and there was a peaceful march in remembrance of the two kids who electrocuted themselves.

And by the way, even during the major problems last year, little happened in Paris itself. There were more problems during the demonstrations against the labor law changes last spring.

well, burning buses with people still IN them strikes me as a little freaky. also the fact that over 6,000 cops were mobilized over the weekend. i was just wondering if i should alter my travel plans at all, but sounds like it's not as big a deal as last year. Thanks for the info!

Isn't going thru lowest east side downtown LA more dangerous ?

When I was in Paris last March, there were huge protests/demonstrations on a couple of nights. I wasn't near them, and experienced no problems getting around or otherwise. Just be aware of what is going on around you.

The fact that over 6,000 officers (gendarmes?) were mobilized to this troublesome area underscores the French's acute awareness of the problem and their willingness to respond swiftly, non? Surely Sarko wouldn't let things get too close to central Paris, sure not during election season....

These distrubances in the banlieus should not distrub your trip. Indeed, labor strikes may cause greater interruptions to your trip.

I wouldn't worry too much. It's your vacation; so relax and have fun. Enjoy your trip to Paris.

I'd not suggest alterting plans, except maybe taking the AF bus or a taxi instead of the local trains from CDG to central Paris. That and simply being aware of local surroundings is more than sufficient to enjoy Paris like usual.

These riots are becoming routine. Is the tourism board arranging them?

RE:riots
 

I'm in Paris now. I haven't noticed anything different, except the now usual police buses lined up at the airport and. . .

when I called the Commisariat at 4:30 Sunday morning about the bar that hadn't closed yet and was making a lot of noise, the officer on the switchboard told me that they were short on cars and couldn't respond immediately. Since the bar either closed, or was told to close by the police, 30 minutes later, I didn't pay much attention.

I'm flying out tomorrow morning, but I always take a shuttle to the airport. If I see anything remarkable on the way or at CDG, I'll post again.

Wait-this just in. Another bus burned and only 5 days later! This one was in Marseille but that's only 500 miles or so from Paris.

Look-Are you planning to take buses in the suburbs of Paris, or are you planning to visit Paris? There's been nothing reported in Paris, and the panic reports-like "suburbs out of hand" have no basis in fact that I have seen. I don't blame someone for being cautious and wanting more info, but let's ground this in realty, ok?

paris itself is fine. hardly any tourists will wander out of zones 1 & 2 of the metro, which is where the volatile areas are (ie. zones 3-8).

FYI, last year, there was mild unrest within paris though, in the 17th arrondisement. this year, nothing "exciting" in paris itself.

don't cancel your plans to visit paris. my brother lives in paris, and he hasn't seen anything "exciting".

Huh? There are no "volatile areas" currenty because nothing out of the ordinary is going on. There were a few bus burnings already discussed but that was weeks ago now.